FARMINGTON — A new policy adopted by the Davis School Board last month allows for a number of exceptions to the district’s policy on hiring relatives.

The exceptions bring district policy more in line with state policy, said Michelle Beus, district legal issues specialist. “Our policy has no exceptions for unusual circumstances,” she told the board. “Our goal is to comply with the law and prevent conflict of interest.”

The district’s position was more stringent than the state law required, she said.

The exceptions are also necessary, she said, because budget cuts have reduced hours so much it is often hard to find someone willing to do the work, she said.

The new policy still prohibits any board member, district employee or district hiring committee member from recommending a relative for employment when pay comes from public funds and the appointee would be directly supervised by a relative. The exceptions occur if there is a lack of candidates or a need for specialized skills, if the position will be filled by a volunteer or if it will run for 12 weeks or less.

In that case, the district superintendent and the administrator over the post make up a review committee to authorize the waiver.